The Player Who Can't Level Up

Alberto’s explanation made El flinch, and Gi-Gyu, Hamiel, and the other two angels looked confused.

“What do you mean by divine power? Please explain,” asked Gi-Gyu.

Alberto looked even more serious now. He must’ve thought Gi-Gyu knew something.

“Like I said, their auras felt very holy. Much different from other players’ aura. Also, they all seemed to specialize in healing.” Alberto shook his head and continued, “What I couldn’t understand was… How they were using the same unique ability.”

Gi-Gyu, El, and the others became even tenser.

“They all had the same unique ability. And they used it to take over Italy.”

“How?”

“Do you know what is unique about the European Players Association?” Alberto answered Gi-Gyu’s question with another question. Gi-Gyu shook his head. Before coming here, he had researched Italy, but he didn’t know every detail.

“Like all the other associations, the EPA also manages players. But the big difference is that”—Alberto swallowed—“it’s affiliated with the government.”

“Isn’t that the same with all the other associations?” asked Gi-Gyu. The associations had much power largely because they had their respective government’s support. Some believed this was why the associations had become even more powerful than their government. But officially, an association was a part of its country’s government.

“No, it’s very different in Europe,” Alberto replied firmly.

***

They arrived at an incredibly extravagant hotel in Rome. Alberto had reserved some rooms here for Gi-Gyu and his group’s stay. Resting on a giant bed, Gi-Gyu thought about his conversation with Alberto.

Alberto had explained that a few influential people controlled the entirety of the EPA. This was why the EPA was different from the other associations.

For example, the KPA’s authority had been almost absolute before it was destroyed. It had complete jurisdiction over the players. Although the government could advise and make requests, it couldn’t force the association to do anything.

‘Kim Sung-Moo…’ He was the man from the Korean government Gi-Gyu had met earlier. The country’s wealthiest backed that man. But according to Sung-Hoon and Rohan, Kim Sung-Moo was now being incredibly cooperative. He acted like he was possessed; he had even betrayed the people who had put him in this government position.

Of course, this made sense to Gi-Gyu, as he held Kim Sung-Moo’s life in his hands.

‘The Korean government has no control over the players. That is why it tried to take the KPA’s power through Kim Sung-Moo and his department.’ 

It proved how weak a hold the rich and powerful had over the players. But apparently, things were different in Europe.

Alberto had explained, “The biggest problem here is that the most powerful people here are mostly non-players.”

Gi-Gyu finally understood everything.

The Vatican and its players’ had holy power, which they used for healing. Unlike the other players, they could even heal the non-players. Europe’s rich and powerful coveted this power, so the Vatican used this greed to its advantage.

Alberto had then listed the main conditions the Vatican had put forth. “The Vatican wanted them to not publicize its special power. It didn’t want to be controlled in any way. And lastly, the Vatican wanted its location to remain a secret.”

They had demanded a few more things, and the powerful figures had agreed. The relationship between the Vatican and these people continued for a long time. This was how the Vatican secretly controlled Italy and the rest of Europe.

“I only discovered the truth about the Vatican by accident,” Alberto had explained. Europe's influential figures kept the Vatican hidden until not too long ago when the Vatican chose to reveal itself.

‘I think it was about when I began to gain power.’ 

After five years of despair as a weak Level 1 player, Gi-Gyu had gained an incredible ability. And around this time, the Vatican had started to make public appearances.

Alberto had added, “They became even more active after the KPA’s collapse. And…”

It seemed Alberto was about to say something else, but he trailed off. Gi-Gyu didn’t prod him even though he could tell Alberto was hiding something. As long as it didn’t betray him in some way, Gi-Gyu wasn’t in a hurry to find out.

“Anyway, we want to know about them just as much as you do,” Alberto had said before leaving.

-So? Did you find anything?

Alone now, Gi-Gyu contacted Go Hyung-Chul, who was searching the entirety of Italy alone.

-No, nothing. My abilities have improved, but investigative work is still as hard as ever. Being impatient won’t help anyone.

-But I wasn’t being impatient.

-All right. I’ll go to the hotel now.

Alberto had also prepared a room for Go Hyung-Chul, but he had to share it with Hamiel.

Gi-Gyu smiled. “So Europe has already been taken, huh?”

Go Hyung-Chul’s findings had revealed that the Vatican was working with the Caravan Guild. And the various spies and demons Gi-Gyu had sensed while exploring Italy with Alberto only proved the point. Andras had already infiltrated the Italian branch.

“Hmm…” Gi-Gyu couldn’t eliminate them since he didn’t want to reveal himself fully yet. For now, he would remain hidden and help Alberto a little without getting directly involved.

“I can’t sleep…” Gi-Gyu mumbled. He wondered if El and Hamiel had already unpacked. Were they resting now? He was about to activate his senses to check on them when he heard a knock on the door.

“Master, may I come in?” El asked from outside the door.

As soon as Gi-Gyu gave permission, El entered and gazed at him. Just looking at each other was making them both uneasy.

El broke the uncomfortable silence. “Master, about what that man Alberto said…”

“About the Vatican?”

El nodded.

“El, I know what you want to say.” Gi-Gyu asked, “They are angels, aren’t they?”

***

“Do we have to go everywhere together?” Gi-Gyu asked, his tone suggesting he was uncomfortable with this plan.

“Unfortunately, yes. There is no other way. If you go around alone, you will face some difficulties.” Alberto gave Gi-Gyu a smooth smile. “Well… I guess you won’t be in danger, Mr. Morningstar, since you’re so powerful.”

Alberto's smile turned playful as he added, “But it sure will annoy you.”

“How’s that?”

“Italy’s public safety level isn’t great. I need to accompany you mainly because your presence in Italy must remain a secret.”

A serious look appeared on Alberto’s face as he continued, “And also because I must protect Italy from you if an unfortunate situation arises.”

“...”

“I hope you understand, Mr. Morningstar. I’ve heard some things about you from Heo Sung-Hoon.”

‘Just what did he tell Alberto? And I can see that they are very similar.’ Gi-Gyu was beginning to see a resemblance between Sung-Hoon and Alberto. Alberto was smoother and more annoying, but his overall demeanor matched Sung-Hoon’s. Gi-Gyu could tell why they were close friends.

“Anyway, what do you plan to do now?” Alberto asked. He understood that Gi-Gyu and his group came to Italy because of the Vatican.

“We haven’t seen much of the Vatican players lately. Even if we try, there is no way to meet them. All we can do is wait for them to appear, Mr. Morningstar.”

Gi-Gyu had no idea Michael belonged to such a secretive group. He also never realized what an influential figure the pope was. He almost regretted not doing anything when he first met the pope. But at the time, Gi-Gyu hadn’t felt any suspicious energy from him.

“He must be a truly powerful being since I couldn’t sense anything from him,” Gi-Gyu murmured.

“Pardon?”

“Ah, it’s nothing,” Gi-Gyu replied and turned to El, who nodded in agreement.

“We plan on just looking around for a while,” Gi-Gyu said to Alberto.

“Just blindly?” Alberto asked; Gi-Gyu raised one hand.

Fwoosh.

A small light appeared from his hand and began spreading. Feeling the magic Gi-Gyu was scattering, Alberto asked, “Wait, isn’t that the support category players’ detection magic?”

“That’s correct.”

“But how…? I thought you specialized in the offense. But given what you did yesterday, I guess you’re different.” Alberto nodded in understanding.

“I am hiding my presence, which means I can’t use my power. If the populace finds out I am here, you will end up in an awkward position as the branch manager. Isn’t that right?” asked Gi-Gyu.

Alberto grinned. “Exactly. I didn’t even report your arrival to my superior.”

Gi-Gyu liked how quick Alberto was on the uptake. The detection magic could detect the other players nearby. Gi-Gyu only used a small amount of magic, so he was safe from being found out.

“Now that it’s activated, we can just roam the city. My sensor will get triggered if someone notable is nearby. This should be convenient for both of us since you can’t use any of your men from the association, Mr. Alberto.”

“Then…” Alberto smiled. “Where would you like to go first? I can tell you that I’m an amazing guide.”

For a branch manager, Alberto seemed to like to brag too much. Gi-Gyu didn’t think this was something to be proud of, but perhaps it was a good thing in this situation.

“I’m glad to hear that,” replied Gi-Gyu.

‘Shouldn’t he be busy since he’s the branch manager?’

***

“Hmm…” a cloak-wearing man groaned. The night was getting darker, and as if frustrated, he swore, “Dammit!”

Ultimately, he took a step and was about to leave the alley when suddenly someone stopped him. “Hey!”

The cloaked man turned around and saw a group of thugs. The group was a medley of races.

“Haa…” The cloaked man sighed and patted his chest. “You scared me there for a moment.”

“What? Hahaha!” The thugs seemed surprised at first before they burst into laughter. It was quite late in the night, so their laughter echoed in the nearly-empty alley.

One of the gang members replied, “Well, I guess we did scare you. Would you like us to apologize?”

The group began to surround the man, who hesitated before watching the thugs quietly.

“Good boy,” one of the thugs, seemingly the group leader, walked up to him and took the man’s hood off.

The cloaked man didn’t resist or make a move.

“An Asian?”

“But why are his eyes blue?”

“Kekeke.”

“Those eyes don’t suit you, idiot!”

The thugs smirked and chatted among themselves. The Asian man with eyes the color of a gate frowned.

“We’re sorry we scared you, but you’ll have to give us everything you have!” the group leader demanded.

“Hey, Asian! If you want to keep your legs, leave your wallet here!” another gang member yelled. It appeared that they were here to mug him.

The Asian man sighed deeply again. “Do you know how scared I was when I thought the Caravan Guild had caught me?”

The man, Go Hyung-Chul, was in the middle of searching Rome for Vatican players. His new job, Shadow Lord, gave him incredible power. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to find the Vatican. Go Hyung-Chul was annoyed and had been on his way back to the hotel when these thugs appeared.

Because he didn’t feel them nearing him, Go Hyung-Chul, at first, thought they must be incredibly powerful.

“But I couldn’t feel you guys because you are too weak,” Go Hyung-Chul muttered. They were non-players, and these fragile men had apparently decided to mug a Shadow Lord.

“Is this how thugs make a living in Italy now? What if you pick a fight with a player?” asked Go Hyung-Chul in confusion.

“Who cares?! Kekeke!”

“We just need money!”

The thugs laughed and shouted, and Go Hyung-Chul realized he couldn’t hold an intelligent conversation with them. Several buildings surrounded them, and he heard the windows being shut. With his enhanced hearing, he could also hear the people inside.

“Just close the window and stay quiet.”

“Let’s go back to bed.”

“They’re at it again.”

No one was calling the police, which was not a usual reaction. This was a tourist-loved country’s capital city, so Go Hyung-Chul couldn’t believe what was happening.

“Are you guys high? Guess there is no need to chat then.” Go Hyung-Chul grinned. He had a frustrating day and needed to let off some steam. It seemed that he had found his target.

“What the hell is he saying?!”

“If you aren’t going to give it to us, we’ll have to take it from you!”

The men shouted and ran toward Go Hyung-Chul. These thugs might have sensed that something was wrong if they weren’t intoxicated, but they were not in their right minds.

The thugs rushed toward Go Hyung-Chul.

“Fuck! Why is he so fast?!” the group leader shouted. Not a single one of them could land a hit on Go Hyung-Chul.

“Haa… This is getting even more annoying.” Tired of wasting time, Go Hyung-Chul moved.

“H…he’s a ghost!” a thug screamed. A thug who had been swinging his fist gasped when Go Hyung-Chul suddenly appeared before him. Go Hyung-Chul flicked the man’s forehead hard. He didn’t use his full strength, so he knew the man wouldn’t die.

However, Go Hyung-Chul’s eyes widened in shock when the man stood back up and yelled, “Dammit! That hurt!”

The finger flick should have knocked the man out, yet he seemed perfectly fine. And he even seemed to have enough energy to try to punch Go Hyung-Chul again.

“...!” Go Hyung-Chul couldn’t believe how fast this man was. “You are…”

The thug couldn’t be a non-player, but Go Hyung-Chul couldn’t feel any magic from him. Go Hyung-Chul continued to dodge the thugs’ attacks while studying them.

“Haa… Haa… Get him… Get him…”

“W-we need the money to buy more drugs…”

“Catch him!”

The thugs mumbled and tried to hit Go Hyung-Chul. With an ugly grin, Go Hyung-Chul glared at them.

“Mmph!” All the thugs stopped as if they had been tied down. Their shadows were seemingly stopping them from moving. The streetlamp brightly lit the alley, so each of them had a shadow. But even without this new skill, Go Hyung-Chul could take a thousand of them at any time.

Go Hyung-Chul grinned and whispered, “I would love to try this drug too.”

He finally found the clue he had been seeking.

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